Rifts

Part 36~Princess Eris

Solar fidgeted, playing with his skateboard. "So... is this about the thing I said? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend your family."

The princess snorted, leaning back. "Oh, you didn't."

"I didn't? But... But your mother! She got so angry!"

"Well yeah, we had to put on a good show. If the people found out you were my father's heir, there would be a riot."

Solar blinked. "You think... You think I'm your dad's son?"

The princess shrugged, sitting up and tapping her feet. "Seems like it. You have the same hair and eyes...." She paused, chuckling. "And somehow, you got the family love of skateboarding. The tail is new, though."

Solar chuckled a little, wrapping his tail around himself. "Yeah, I got that from my mum. I managed to learn that much." Solar took a deep breath. "Why aren't you mad?"

"Why would I be?"

"Because I'm a product of your dad's affair."

The princess paused before she burst out laughing. "You think- you think this was the first affair we found out about?!" She continued to laugh before taking a deep breath, holding her stomach. "Oh, no, no, sweet precious child. No. My dad had tons of affairs, but you're the first child to come from those."

Solar blinked. "Really?"

"Hey, Dad had an agreement with my mum that if he had an affair, he would only sleep with men, so there wasn't a chance of producing another heir." The princess snorted, seeing the confused expression on Solar's face. "My mum and dad's marriage was arranged; it was added to the contract."

"Then how come I was born?"

The princess gulped, laughing nervously. "That was kind of my fault. I wasn't the most well-behaved princess, especially in that school. I think I kissed too many princesses for their liking. It got so bad I almost died in the isolation chamber." The princess shivered. "My dad and mum agreed that in order to get me out of trouble, he could do what he needed. And one thing led to another, and you were the result."

Solar blinked as the princess grew nervous.

"Heinous said she got rid of you, and Dad took me out of school. I swear, we didn't know you were alive and if you want to stay alive, no one else can."

"What?!"

"I'm not threatening you!"

Marco frowned, pulling Solar back. "That sounded like a threat."

"No, no." The princess took a breath. "You guys look like you come from a nice kingdom; well, my kingdom is not like that. Here, girls aren't exactly valued. If someone found out that dad had a son, you would become the heir, first in line to the throne. None of us would get a choice."

"But-But, I don't want it! And I'm not a legitimate heir!"

"They don't care. You're a boy and straight."

"I ain't straight either."

The princess looked confused, staring at Marco. "But you have a princess."

Marco grinned. "I ain't even royalty."

Solar took a breath. "I don't want your kingdom."

"Great, 'cause I do." The princess laughed as she leaned back. "But, like I said, we don't get a choice. The kingdom already doesn't like me. They won't even give me a coronation!"

Solar blinked. "But you're just the princess. Won't that happen when... you know... you're a queen?"

"You would think so."

"I'm confused. Your parents retiring or something?"

"You... you don't know." The princess winced. "My parents... King and Queen Shiobas are dead."

"What?! Then who were we talking to?!"

The princess sat up, blushing a little. "That was one of my robots. When my mum went into the hospital, the kingdom made this huge deal about how I was unfit to rule. It seemed easier to just make a robot mum than try and change them."

"That is seriously weird."

The princess chuckled. "I guess, but this kingdom is pretty broken. You know, while I can't officially recognise you as part of the family without losing the throne, I am happy to call you my brother. You seem pretty cool, Solar." The princess offered out her hand as Solar shook it.

"Right... Yeah... Thanks, I guess. You're pretty cool too..."

"Eris. Name's Eris Shiobas." Eris jumped up, a smile on her face. "Want to skate?"

Solar nodded as Eris grabbed her skateboard, showing it to Solar. Marco smiled, sitting to the side as he let them be.

"Skaters are the best, right?"

Marco screamed as the knight laughed, taking a seat beside him. "Who are you?!"

"I'm Learetta. That's my girlfriend."

"Oh... I'm Marco... That's my boyfriend..."

"Want to play cards while we wait?"

"I prefer to fight you."

"Really? Isn't your arm broken?"

"Never stopped me before."

"I like your style. Come at me, Marco!"

"Marco!"

"Learetta!"

Solar and Eris glared at their partners. "No fighting while you're hurt!"

~~~

Collapsing onto the sofa, Marco smiled, opening his arms for Solar to fall into. Marco hummed as he ran his hands through Solar's hair. "Did you get all the answers you were looking for, Sunshine?"

Solar rotated, laying his head on Marco's lap. "I think so. It's just... a lot. I also think I hurt my tailbone."

Marco blinked. "You have a tail. You have many tail bones."

Solar sighed, his tail lying on his stomach. "I hurt them all."

Marco chuckled, running his hand over Solar's tail. "And that is why I don't skate."

"No, you just ride the most dangerous vehicle in the universe." Solar chuckled as Marco covered his heart.

"Nachos is pure and safe."

Solar grinned, boobing Marco's nose. "Keep telling yourself that." Solar giggled before he relaxed, letting out a sigh. "Hey, Marco?"

"Yeah, Solar?"

"Thank you for today. You're the best."

Marco smiled, leaning down and kissing Solar's forehead. "I'm glad you're feeling better. Want to watch a movie?"

"Yeah!" Solar threw up his hands as Marco laughed, reaching for the remote. He turned on the TV, moving Solar so they could lie together.

Solar grinned, holding open his hand. "Cosy comfort beam!" A flash spread through the room as a blanket fell over them.

"You're getting good at that."

"Thanks, I've been practising."